JEDDAH – The Arab world exported $83.72 million worth of metals to Brazil in 2012, representing a 138 percent increase compared to $35.18 million in the same period in 2011, figures released by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce showed Monday. Brazilian metal exports to Arab countries, on the other hand, reached $133.90 million with the UAE emerging as Brazil's top destination with $43.19 million worth of imports. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce further revealed that the top three Arab exporters of metals to Brazil in 2012 were Saudi Arabia ($37.34 million), Bahrain ($30.61 million) and the UAE ($4.73 million). Saudi Arabia ($35.74 million) and Egypt ($15.06 million), on the other hand, joined the UAE as the top Arab importers of Brazilian metals. “The trade of metals has been one of the key highlights of Brazil's socioeconomic relations with the Arab world. The steady volume of Brazilian metal exports to various Arab countries underlines the aggressive pace of development across the region and Brazil is certainly pleased to supply premium-quality products that support the energetic transformation of the Arab world. Moreover, the phenomenal increase in Arab metal exports to Brazil likewise reinforces the strong trade relations between the two regions and will certainly help unlock more opportunities to boost trade activities and promote mutual growth and development,” said Michel Alaby, General Secretary and CEO of Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has been established to consolidate and expand partnerships, generate opportunities and bring Arabs and Brazilians together. It has been in operation for more than 60 years, playing an active role in boosting economic, cultural and tourism activities, and facilitating the flow of information between Arabs and Brazilians. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce represents 22 Arab countries. It was established in 1952 with the mission of strengthening commercial bonds between Brazil and the Arab countries, while increasing cultural and tourism exchange between Arabs and Brazilians. — SG
